Roadworks in the centre of Helston have been extended - with one set of traffic lights to remain for a further month.

The temporary four-way traffic lights in the Turnpike area were expected to be removed last Friday, meaning motorists were upset over the weekend to find that they were still in place.

Wales & West Utilities, which is carrying out gas works in the area, fitting new pipes, told the Packet today that due to "difficult ground conditions" this had led to a delay in the work being completed.

The work on Falmouth Road was now expected to finish by February 21 and the work in Godolphin Road ending by March 13.

A spokesperson for the company said he understood the traffic lights on the Redruth Road and Clodgey Lane would be taken down with the Falmouth Road set, with only the Godolphin Road set remaining.

Wales & West Utilities programme controller for Helston, Roxanne Whittaker said: “We are working in the Falmouth Road area of Helston to upgrade the gas network. This investment is essential to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.

“In agreement with Cornwall Council, and to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, two and three-way traffic lights are in place along a number of roads in the Falmouth Road area.

"To keep disruption to a minimum, these lights are being manned during peak times.

“We were originally expecting to complete our work on Falmouth Road at the end of January, however, due to difficult ground conditions in the area we have had to extend our works.

"Barring any further unforeseen circumstances, we expect to complete our work on Falmouth Road by February 21 and complete our work on Godolphin Road by March 13.

“We have worked closely with Cornwall Council to plan our work and before starting we wrote to all homes and businesses in the area letting them know what to expect.

"We appreciate that working on roads such as these is not ideal, and we are trying to keep disruption to a minimum. This work really is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future and can play its part in delivering reliable and affordable green energy."

She said anyone with questions about the work would contact the customer service team on freephone 0800 912 2999 or email enquiries@wwwutilities.co.uk.

Alternatively, Wales & West can be contacted on Twitter via @WWUtilities.